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41
As the number of persons over sixty-five years at first visit continues
to increase and, as they often require just a bathing treatment and not a
full nursing treatment, and also as the visits occupying the nurse for over
one hour continues to increase, arrangements have been made to employ
two auxiliary nurses on a part-time basis, and they will be used for nonnursing
attention, such as bathing as required. This has been achieved
without increasing the home nurses establishment.
Training
The refresher training of the staff has been maintained at a high
standard and included visits to the burns unit at Mount Vernon Hospital,
lectures on community care, arranged by Hillingdon Local Health
Authority, and courses at the Chiswick Polytechnic College, during which
three of the staff were awarded the National District Nurses' Certificate.
Student Training
A total of 116 pre-nursing students from the Chiswick and Harrow
Polytechnic Colleges, and general nursing students from the Edgware, the
Harrow, and the Middlesex Hospitals accompanied home nurses on
domiciliary visits, and were given lectures on the personal health services
provided by the Borough.
During the year Harrow was selected by the Chiswick Polytechnic to
undertake the practical training of some of their integrated students, and
this was accepted.
Practice Attachment
In order to improve the communication between the general
practitioner and the home nurse, a pilot scheme was started in 1967 with
the approval of the Ministry, which attached some home nurses to a
general practitioner group practice. This scheme worked well, and in
September, 1968 statutory authority was given for the home nurses to
practice anywhere needed, including hospitals, health centres and general
practitioners' surgeries.
As the practice attachment is working satisfactorily, another is being
started, and some of the improvements noted to date are as follows
(a) improved communication between the home nurse and the
general practitioner.
(b) more continuity in the care of the patient,
(c) the ambulant patient is treated in the surgery, thus decreasing
the nurse's travelling time.
(d) records and consultations are more readily available.
Services for the Incontinent Patient
At the request of doctors and/or hospitals, incontinence pads, pants
and interlinings are supplied to patients who require them, and this
service is fulfilling a very real need. The incontinent laundry service
helps with the problem of nursing this type of patient at home, and the
assistance of the Edgware Group Hospitals in organising the service is
very much appreciated.